Upton seniors enjoy conga drumming

UPTON - Using his fingertips and his palms to beat the tops of his two conga drums, Craig Harris shared his passion for Native American music with visitors to the Upton Senior Center Tuesday.

"When I sit down and play, I can just speak music through my hands," said Harris.

Harris, who is from Chicopee, said he has been playing the congas since the mid-1960s, and has taught music in public schools for 26 years. Today he shares his conga playing around the state at libraries, senior centers, child care facilities, conferences and festivals.

"I thought it was very good," said Betty Consigli, 69, of Upton, one of about 20 who attended the performance. "With that kind of music, you can't just sit there, you have to do something, whether it is clapping your hands or tapping your feet."

"I found my voice through this instrument," said Harris.

Those listening to his performance were encouraged to participate in the music making, so each listener was given a music shaker to follow along with the beat.

"It was fun and different," said Norma Earl, 85, of Upton.

Harris said music has evolved and changed throughout the years. Today there is a diverse collection of different genres, offering endless listening opportunities.

"If you take all the music in the world, you have a beautiful rainbow," said Harris. "I don't understand the people who only listen to the orange or the purple."

Harris is also part of a nine-year-old spiritual groove band based in western Massachusetts called the Gaea Star Band. Other members in the band are Mariam Massaro, of Worthington, who writes lyrics, sings and plays several instruments including the 12-string guitar, a Native American flute and a Celtic harp, and Bob Sherwood, of West Cummington, who plays piano, guitar and percussion.

Harris also said he has been writing about music since 1971, and has published several books about music including "The New Folk Music," "Band: Pioneers of Americana Music" and "Heartbeat, Warble and the Electric Powwow: American Indian Music."

For "Heartbeat, Warble and the Electric Powwow: American Indian Music," he interviewed more than 100 old-time musicians. He said he is working on a book about bluegrass music.

To learn more about Harris and his musical career, check out his website at http://drumawaytheblues.com/.

Christian Yapor can be reached at 508-634-7521, or at cyapor@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChristianYapor.